La Liga outfit Real Betis are currently having a decent season, punching above their weight and pushing for a top 10 finish, following a relegation-threatened campaign last term.
Los Verdiblancos brought in a couple of players to help change their fortunes last summer, and things have indeed improved for the 11th placed team.
Among those expected to play a huge role in Real Betis’ campaign was Costa Rica international Joel Campbell, but the team have gotten by without him since he picked up a knock against Espanyol last October.
The season-long loan services of the 25-year-old forward were recruited from Arsenal, as he left north London for regular playing time ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
However, Campbell’s 6th loan away from the Premier League, his 2nd at Betis, hasn’t gone exactly as planned and he risks missing out on a guaranteed spot in his country’s contingent to Russia.
Since emerging as the top scorer at the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and later completing a move to Arsenal that same summer, the winger has had all eyes on him, with many believing he is next to fly the Costa Rica flag in Europe.
Campbell has since become a journeyman, failing to impress in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain with Lorient, Olympiacos, Sporting CP, Villarreal and Betis respectively.
It remains to be seen if the former Saprissa starlet will be able to add to the games he has played for Arsenal, but the quality available at the under-performing EPL side, suggests the Costa Rican poster boy might have already scored the last of his 4 goals for them.
Real Betis play Levante on Monday evening, and Campbell could make the matchday squad having returned to full training a week ago.
He could taste action for the first time in almost 6 months, and with just 4 months away from the World Cup, he will be eager to impress, but can the one-time “future” do enough to land himself a spot on the plane to Russia?
